The Santa Barbara County-based Women Winemakers & Culinarians Celebration hosted a “Sunday Supper” on Jan. 18 to raise funds for the nonprofit organization’s season of upcoming events, starting with the March 6-7 “Sips and SHE-Nanigans” at Fess Parker Winery and the Grand Tasting at 27 Vines.
At the Sunday Supper, more than 50 guests enjoyed wines from three producers — all members of the WW&CC — and a meal prepared by two area chefs, Brooke Stockwell, co-founder of WW&CC with winemaker Karen Steinwachs, and Anna Vocino of “Eat Happy Kitchen” fame.
Winemakers Samra Morris of Alma Rosa, Christi Heck of Lavender Oak Vineyard and Natalie Albertson of Native Bloom Winery paired their respective wines with the three-course meal (plus dessert).
The Friday evening “Sips and SHE-Nanigans” event will honor Judy Adams, “a wonderful lady who has been hauling grapes for us for 50 harvests now,” Steinwachs said. The event will include wines and appetizers by member winemakers and chefs and three to four comics to provide “some needed hilarity.”
The Grand Tasting on Saturday will return to 27 Vines and, as in prior years, feature dozens of winemakers and culinarians.
“These will be the actual producers, and not simply representatives of the wineries, restaurants or catering companies,” Steinwachs noted.
Following the March events will be “Denim & Diamonds” on Saturday, April 11 and the Buellhouse at Zaca Creek Tavern, 1297 Jonata Park Road in Buellton.
Get your sparkle on with your best fancy dress and snazzy cowboy boots for a stroll down the red carpet. The event will feature complimentary wine and cocktails, followed by a four-course meal paired with wines from Santa Barbara County’s women winemakers.
The honorees of the evening will be the 2026 “Winds Beneath Our Wings,” with the proceeds helping to fund the initiative.
The mission of the WW&CC is to empower and support female winemakers and culinarians by fostering a community that champions their craft, creativity and leadership.
More information and tickets are available at sbwomenwinemakers.com/.
James Beard Foundation Nominates Bell’s Daisy Ryan for ‘Best Chef, California’
Chef Daisy Ryan, owner of Bell’s in Los Alamos with her husband, Greg Ryan, has been nominated by the 2026 James Beard Foundation in the category of “Best Chef, California.”
Ryan also was a nominee in the same category in 2023, and a semi-finalist for “Best Restauranteur” in 2025. Among her previous honors are “Best New Chef” from Food & Wine.
Bell’s has been awarded a Michelin star for five years running.
The Restaurant and Chef Awards by the James Beard Foundation have turned the nation’s top restaurant and bar professionals into icons in the culinary industry.
Restaurant and chef nominees will be announced on March 31, and the winners celebrated at a ceremony June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Garagiste Wine Festival Returns to Solvang
America’s Best Wine Festival, Garagiste, will return to Solvang for its 12th year in early February with more than 30 micro-production winemakers who call Santa Barbara County and the Central Coast home.
“The Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure” weekend will include Saturday’s Grand Tasting, a “Rare and Reserve” Tasting on Friday evening and a special seminar with pioneering winemaker Greg Brewer on Saturday morning.
Tickets are available via my805tix.com/e/garagiste-solvang-2025/tickets.
“We are happy to back in Solvang for the 12th year, and to return to a region that continues to produce some of the most exciting wines anywhere in the world,” said Douglas Minnick, co-founder of the Garagiste Festival.
“It’s no secret that this has been a tough year for the wine industry, but our festival has always been about supporting and showcasing the small wineries who are ahead of the trends in our industry and craft their wines as a labor of love — and who love talking with our attendees.”
All events take place at the Mission-style Veterans’ Memorial Hall on Solvang’s Mission Drive (Highway 246).
Garagiste (“garage-east”) is a term originally used in the Bordeaux region of France to denigrate renegade small-lot wine makers who sometimes worked out of their garages, and who refused to follow the “rules.”
Austin Hope Wines Named Official Wine of Vina Robles Amphitheatre
Hope Family Wines started the new year the official wine of the Vina Robles Amphitheatre, one of the premier concert and comedy venues on California’s Central Coast.
Located on Highway 46 in Paso Robles, the Vina Robles Amphitheatre offers 3,300 seats in an outdoor venue. It has hosted more than 320 concerts since opening in 2013.
Wine concessions during the 2026 season will be exclusive to the Austin Hope Wines brand portfolio, including signature offerings from Austin Hope, Treana, Quest, AUSTIN, Troublemaker and Liberty School.
“The Vina Robles Amphitheatre presents global entertainment acts with a flair that is distinct to Paso Robles — a mission that resonates with all of us at Hope Family Wines,” owner-winemaker Austin Hope said. “We are avid concertgoers ourselves, and we share a like-minded passion for elevating the Paso Robles destination experience.”